"Tenba?"
Shoto squinted.

Tenya blinked a few times, partly shocked that a gang boss didn't even know the identities of the people who worked for him.

"That is certainly not–"

"You shouldn't be here."
Shoto suddenly stiffened, as if he weren't the one covered in someone else's blood at the moment.

"What? You think I chose to be here?"

Shoto glared coldly at his subordinates.

"You kidnapped him?"

Denki twiddled his thumbs nervously.
"We figured that it would solve your... Er..."
He trailed off.

Shoto shook his head.
"You need to get him out of here, before Katsuki–"

"Before Katsuki, what?"
A suit-draped man stood a few feet down the hall from them.
Costly brogues began to slowly tap and click against the open hall as he drew nearer.

His untamed blonde hair shagged and spiked upwards like a crown--a suitable hairstyle, considering his only swelling ego.

For once, he was properly dressed. Finally, the crisp, intimidating presence of a true leader; not a single crease in sight.
Even his collar–Shoto groaned in annoyance.

Of course, the scoundrel of a man wasn't wearing a something as simple as a godforsaken tie.

Something about this man drilled into the part of Tenya's brain that told him
"Run if you choose life", yet there he was; frozen in fear once again.

He felt pathetic– seeing as it wasn't the first, nor would it be the last time he'd have such a reaction to a threatening entity.

His piercing scarlet gaze rest upon Tenya, as if he could draw blood with his glare alone.

"Who the fuck is that?"
He plainly motioned towards the fear-ridden royal-blue-haired man.

Denki pointed at Hanta.
"That's Sero, boss. He's been working here for three years now–"

"Not him, fuckwad."

Tenya gulped.

"That's...My next interrogation–Tenba. Kaminari and Sero owed me a favor, so they fetched him for me."
Shoto answered.

Tenya grit his teeth.
"M-My name is Tenya Iida! And I'll have you know that my family name is well-renowned so the fact that you don't seem to recall baffles me!" He managed to splutter out.

Shoto sighed whilst Hanta slapped a hand over his eyes, and Denki mumbled something along the lines of 'snap'.

The stranger upturned his chin in Tenya's direction, as if he were amused by his sudden confidence.

"Heh. Don't cut him up yet, Shoto. I could use some extra hands on deck."
The blonde smirked, signaling for Tenya to approach him.

Shoto stopped relying on his doorway for support, standing firmly on two feet.

"You don't mean..."

"Of course, I need as much help as possible with our... Project."

The dual-colour-haired man could feel his stomach churn. There was no protecting Tenya from what was about to happen next...

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Thank you for reading part 8 of 'Flames & Roses'! Please leave a '⭐' or comment if you enjoyed!

[S.K.]